Pet Advice

Useful tips and tricks for looking after your pets

Looking After Your Dog

Dogs play an important role in peoples lives and with over half of all UK households owning a pet, you are not alone! Dogs are part of the family as well as being a great source of companionship. They are a constant source of enjoyment and fun and also help us burn up a few extra calories! At Crown Vets, Fort WIlliam we love seeing new puppies or dogs coming into our practice. We want to help you to keep your dog fit, healthy and part of your life.

If you have a new dog or puppy, please register your details here. You may wish to consider becoming a member of our Pet Health Club. Members of our Pet Health Club receive discounts on neutering, free check-ups and a free microchip. If you still require further information or help then please contact us today.

Looking After Your Cat

Cats play an important role in their owners’ lives. Cats have been around humans for thousands of years and it is no wonder. Cats help us overcome stress, helping us relax as well as providing close friendship. In a study performed by Cats’ Protection nearly half of all respondents enjoyed a better night's sleep with their cat on the bed than they did with their partner in the bed!

Cats are very special and all our feline in-patients are kept away from other species, to keep them as calm as possible whilst hospitalised. At Crown Vets, Fort William we all love seeing new kittens or cats coming into our practice. We want to help you to keep your cat happy and part of your life.

If you have a new feline, please register your details here. You can also read our kitten health factsheet for further information on kitten care. You may also wish to consider becoming a member of our Pet Health Club. Members of our Pet Health Club receive discounts on neutering; free check-ups and a free microchip as well as other great benefits. If you require any further information or help then please contact us today.

Looking After Your Rabbit

Rabbits are one of Britain’s most popular pets. Did you know that vets can treat rabbits just as effectively they can other pets? Myxomatosis is a devastating disease that is common in the wild rabbit population. This disease can be passed on to domestic rabbits, however we are able to prevent this disease quite effectively with a vaccination.

We neuter rabbits routinely all year round but particularly in the run up to spring & summer. Neutering prevents rabbits getting nasty diseases such as ovarian and testicular cancer. It also reduces the chances of aggression and allows males and females to live together without the risk of babies!

If you have a new rabbit, please register your details here. You may also wish to consider becoming a member of our Pet Health Club. Members of our Pet Health Club receive discounts on neutering; free check-ups and a free microchip as well as other great benefits. If you still require further information or help then please contact us today.

Looking After Your Guinea Pig

Guinea Pigs, also known as Cavies, make fantastic rewarding pets. They are naturally very sociable creatures and should not be kept alone, but it is important to consider the sex of the Guinea Pigs before deciding to keep more than one.

Two males can live together happily if they have been together since a young age. It would be inadvisable to try to keep more than two males together as they will fight. Any number of females can be kept together safely. Male and female Guinea pigs can be kept together but this will result in babies, and adolescent male Guinea Pigs are capable of mating from 6 weeks of age, even with their own mother!

Complete Guinea Pig food is readily available in all good pet stores, but should be supplemented with fresh fruit, vegetables and hay. Water must always be available; a bottle is the easiest way to supply water, as the Guinea Pig is less able to dirty it, than when in a bowl.

Your Guinea Pig will require regular nail clips, to prevent the nails over growing and injuring the foot. Your Guinea Pig shouldn’t need bathed, however, it is advisable to brush them regularly especially the longer coated varieties. If you require further information or help please contact us today.

Looking After Your Rats/Mice

Rats can make great pets and wonderful companions. They should not be kept alone, but in same sex pairs to avoid uncontrolled breeding. Rats should have plenty of room to play and climb. The ‘rat cages’ sold in pet shops are often too small, so letting your rats out to roam in a safe enclosed room can be beneficial from time to time. Rats are not tolerant of the cold and should be kept indoors.

Rats eat both meat and plant matter, like humans, and mixes are easily found in pet stores but should be supplemented with fresh fruit and vegetables. Rats can and will eat almost everything people eat, scrambled egg is a good source of protein and offers a change from their usual diet. Fresh clean water should be available at all times.

Rats are very intelligent and should be given toys to play with to make their environment more stimulating. Mice make entertaining pets and are easily obtained from many pet stores. Mice need to be kept in cages that will prevent escape.

Mice cages will begin to smell within 2-3 days and the bedding and lining material should be cleaned out and replaced within this interval. Male mice should not be kept together as they will fight, females together will be fine. Mice should not be kept solitary, as they are social creatures.

A complete dry food can be obtained from a pet store but should be supplemented with fresh fruit and vegetables, and although mice are always thought of as enjoying cheese, this should not be fed to them as it can cause digestive upset.

Looking After Your Exotic Pets

Reptiles make interesting and unusual pets but often require specialist knowledge and equipment and are therefore often very expensive pets to keep. Each species of exotic pet, ranging from lizards to frogs, and scorpions to tortoises require different levels of care, environment, heating and feeding. Before buying an exotic pet it is advisable you research the breed and if possible seek advice from knowledgeable sources.

In the Highlands there is a charity dedicated to rescuing exotic pets, Scottish Exotic Animal Rescue. As well as offering sponsorship of exotic animals, they are also a great source of information. If you require further information or help please contact us today.

Looking After Your Bird

We are happy to examine and treat any species of pet bird from parrots to pigeons! Crown Vets, Fort William are always available to provide advice or care on your bird, information on hens and other backyard birds can be found below. If you require further information or help then please contact us today.

Looking After Your Chickens, Ducks, Geese and Pigs

Hens are by far the most common farm pet we see and are becoming more popular as people realise the benefits of a regular supply of eggs! By the time a chicken shows signs of illness, the disease may already be far advanced, as they have an inherent ability to hide illness, so do call us straight away if you suspect a problem.

Ducks and geese should always have company and they do like a sense of routine. Some connoisseurs prefer duck eggs to chicken eggs. Geese are also kept for producing eggs and are very effective as guards!

Pet pigs are also becoming more popular: the Vietnamese Pot-bellied is common and the biggest challenge is to prevent obesity. Pigs do need shelter from the elements and will make a mess if not managed properly.

If you require further information on these backyard pets, or indeed any other backyard pet, please contact us today.

Looking After Your Fish

Fish make great pets and in number-terms ‘companion’ fish are the most popular pet in the UK. There are up to 2000 marine and freshwater species to choose from, all with their own particular health care demands. We are happy to examine and treat pet fish, but for larger and more expensive fish, collections or ponds, we would recommend you contact Inverness’s own specialist fish veterinary practice, The Fish Vet Group.

The Fish Vet Group is unique in providing a veterinary service that is 100% dedicated to the care, health and welfare of fish and aquatic species. The FVG can offer a variety of services supporting owners of pet fish. This may be simple advice on treating a parasitic infestation or full veterinary support.

Looking After Your Horses, Ponies & Donkeys

Crown Vets, Fort William routinely treat horses, ponies and donkeys within our catchment area. We also work with Kessock Equine Vets to ensure that the equines in the Lochaber area have the best of care. For further information on our equine services please call us today.

Taking Your Pet Abroad

What is the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)?
Whether you are a seasoned traveller who would love to share your holidays and adventures with your dog, or moving abroad to live and need to take you dog or cat with you – the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) is for you! Prior to this scheme, animals were forced to spend long periods of time in quarantine when returning to the UK…but all this has changed allowing them to travel as easily as you using a Passport booklet.

Who is qualified to issue Pet Passports?
Vets must have special training to be allowed to issue passports. These vets are called Official Veterinarians (OV). At Crown Vets, Fort WIlliam all of our full time vets have received this training and are available to discuss any aspect of the Pet Passport Scheme.

What are the conditions of the scheme?
Your animal must be micro-chipped and vaccinated against Rabies (an infectious disease present in some European countries). For travel in the EU you must wait 21 days after the vaccination (or the last of the primary course of vaccinations) before your pet can enter another EU or listed country. This is because your pet isn’t protected against rabies until 21 days after its' rabies vaccination.

How far in advance should I prepare?
As the process of issuing the passport can take several weeks it is important to discuss you plans with us as early as possible. If you wish to be able to travel readily without any constraints it is advised to begin preparing 8-9 months in advance.

How do I get started?
To discuss your individual requirements and get started contact our surgery to arrange an appointment with a vet.